Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene - Ellen G. White

stomach affects not only the body, but ultimately
the mind as well. Gross and stimulating food fevers
the blood, excites the nervous system, and too
often dulls the moral perceptions, so that reason
and conscience are overborne by the sensual
impulses. It is difficult, and often well-nigh
impossible, for one who is intemperate in diet to
exercise patience and self-control. Hence the
special importance of allowing children, whose
characters are yet unformed, to have only such
food as is healthful and unstimulating. It was in
love that our heavenly Father sent the light of
health reform, to guard against the evils that result
from unrestrained indulgence of appetite.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or
whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1
Corinthians 10:31) Are parents doing this when
they prepare food for the table and call the family
to partake of it? Do they place before their children
that only which they know will make the very best
blood, that which will keep the system in the least
feverish condition, and will place it in the best
relation to life and health? Or do they, regardless of
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